Locked Down

I like this movie. OK, they didn't spend (or waste) a lot of money and the story is not "Gone with the wind". But inside its limits I have enjoyed it a lot. First of all, I found it very entertaining. Much more entertaining, in fact, that many Hollywood blockbusters. Second, I really think that Tony Schiena is a good actor for this kind of action stuff, this is my first time to watch him on the screen but his fine performance (cool but also human and believable) deserves my respect. I was surprised too because fighting are built into a dramatic story that makes sense for me. This is a violent film but not only a film about violence, I found more topics in it: friendship, honor, loyalty, family. If I can complain about something, it is only Bai Ling's waste performance. This actress deserves something better than appear only some minutes with a few lines of dialog. Watch "Red corner" or "The beautiful country" and you will understand what I am talking about.

When viewed in the correct context this low budget (est. $1.6mn) action film achieves it's objective in providing the audience with mindless entertainment whilst showcasing great martial arts sequences.

Yes more of the budget could have been allocated towards enhancing the production value but ultimately this hits all the key notes of an 80's formula martial arts film......a simple story that creates the backdrop from which to thread together the escalating fight sequences which attract viewers to this genre.

If you're looking for a serious action film in the frame of "Bourne Identity" or even "The Expendables" then this isn't for you........if however you're in the mood for cheap thrills and casual amusement then this could be a ride worth taking.

Vinnie Jones continues to deliver his trademark edgy persona as Tony Schiena uses the platform to showcase his potential to grow into a genuine Action Star in the guise of Viggo Mortensen.

A film that has soaked up principles of failure in unispirated action films. Schiena is as pale as the color of the film when it flickers on a screen. Nonsense that you don't have to see.

In the 80s this might have worked more than fine. But having a lead that does not have the charisma to carry the movie on his shoulder, throwaway female roles (Bai Ling reduced to almost nothing and therefor criminally underused, no pun intended) and other stuff that does not add to make this movie any better.

The fight scenes overall are decent, but not as spectacular as others in similar movies I've seen. And that is a "neck" breaker, because you don't expect much in the story department, but there should be something in the action department. While there are worse movies out there, there are better. Even Vinnie Jones has done better roles and movies ...

I want not be very critic about this film. Obvious, its target is so precise than nothing against it matters. But the chance to be little better remains and the regret, to. Nothing original. A very old recipe of action films about cops in prison, revenges, survive, the wise venerable friend and the pure bad guy are present. And, maybe, the presence, more than acting , of Vinnie Jones can works for sustain this...film.

So , not exactly bad , but the sex scenes, the presence of women gardiens in a men jail, the low effort for choreography in the fight scenes, the dialogues are the sins of a film who presumed can be mediocre .

But, sure, the public reigns .